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The capital had been seized, with a few minor exceptions. So far the embassies had been spared. It was, after all, a private civil war between the Government of Lucidus Magus (all of whom had relocated around the country to loyalist strongholds) and the followers of Triesten Millagon. That was, apparently, until now. Swordsmen, all twenty bearing the symbol of the Triesten Millagon stood in front of the Aesian embassy. In their hands were explosives, with one intention, to blow open the doors and allow them to storm it. Backing them was a platoon of Guardians, numbering almost fifty men, supported by a single squad of four hunters. They had been briefed on the expected resistance. Ten riflemen and ten grenadiers, and add four Special Operation troops and sixty civilians for a total of eighty-four targets. The orders were to provide at a minimum of eighty-four bodies. After the slaughter, Triesten Millagon would appear, so there had to be a total of zero threats to their leader once he arrived with a message to Aes. The Swordsmen placed their charges, and took a step back, waiting for the explosion.

The first part of the battle was short and simple. The twenty Aesian troops took a barricaded position to allow the civilians to escape. Luckily the Guardians had all exits covered, and the twelve civilians who escaped the building were quickly cut down. After the Aesian troops had been killed (bringing the death total up to thirty-two) the Guardians shuffled into the building, wary of the four supposed Special Operation members stationed in the embassy.

The second part, however, turned into a quick disaster. The supposed four Spec Ops troops were actually five, and the forty-seven bodies remaining were actually forty-seven riflemen, all of whom had barricaded themselves in the central hub of Aesian communications. The fire-fight that took place eliminated seventy of Triesten Millagon’s finest troopers. Still the damage was done to the Aesian forces, their own losses hit forty (now a total of seventy-two dead Aesian nationals.) Two more squadrons of Guardians quickly responded to the scene, and overwhelmed the remaining twelve troops, though not without sustaining an additional twenty losses.

Triesten Millagon read the report left to him about the seizure of the Aes embassy. Aesian losses: eighty-four. Triesten Millagon: ninety. This was a pyrrhic victory at best. Add on the additional forces that would be lost once Aes retaliated, and it was clear that Triesten would suddenly be at a disadvantage if forced to face the wrath of more nations. Worse still, the victory he had wanted would not occur at this moment. All intelligence was lost in the battle. Whatever Aes was planning inside Lucidus Magus territory had not turned up in the information seized (as little as it was). Lastly a parting gift of a bomb had taken down the Embassy, taking with it twelve more men.

Still, his message would be clear. And according to the logs; the Aesian troops did fire first. Of course the records wouldn’t show that the Aesian troops were openly threatened, neither would it show that if they hadn’t fired first they would have been overwhelmed. At least there had been minimal civilian casualties. This attack would have been certainly placed him on top of the most wanted lists for every nation for his war crimes against civilians if the original estimate had been correct on sixty civilians.

And of course, lastly, he had what he had wanted all along. A direct path of communication to the Aesian war room. It was, after all, way past time to introduce himself.

Damian could feel the soreness of his eyes as they moved left and right under his eye lids. pangs of pain shot out through his head as he blinked. Groans and exhales intermingled as the young con man laid in bed obviously hung over. it had never been this bad, he'd been out at some bars the night previous at first trying to gain some information but as the night progressed the point of order moved towards partying. Unfortunately it had need quite a while since he had pushed himself. The current events laid heavy on his heart and mind Forced Damian to pour a little longer than usual. His chest heaved causing him to gag slightly. Time to roll out and find the bathroom, quickly.

Whatever demons were inside his body were no on their way to the city's sewers. Damian leaned against the bathroom's doorway with a hand on his chest and another on his forehead. "Never again..." He'd accomplished very little on his scout mission. All he knew was that by traveling from Aes he had put himself in danger. He'd have to watch himself extra close to prevent gaining the attention of Lucidus officials,

Lady Arrah was sitting the moment that Triesten's missionary came a knocking on her door. Sir Edwin let him in, thought not before checking the diplomat for anything that may harm his lady. There was no hesitation, no small talk, only demands from the missionary. "Lady Arrah. As you may know the enemy Aes is about to land their forces on Lucidus Magus to invade and seize power-" Arrah cut him off there.

"You mean the troops from Aes are here to search for your master? I admit he is obviously not a man to be trifled with, but whatever you wish of us, know that I have no intentions of taking any part of this war. My people only wish a safe haven, and this I provide. Any injured man may take refuge here, but I will not actively support anyone. I will not become a puppet. For either side."

Edwin cleared his throat. "Ma'am. Be that so, it still might behoove-" Again Lady Arrah cut off the conversation.

"Sir Edwin, I respect your opinion, but I will not make any alliances." With that the Diplomat left, quite disappointed. Lady Arrah then turned to her closest ally and friend. "Edwin, please go to where Aes is landing. I do not wish for there to be any missionaries from them. Tell them the same thing. The lands of Lady Arrah are open to the injured for healing, but none shall bring weapons onto our land." With that her loyal servant nodded and left the building, preparing to deliver the message his lady had given him.

Under his mask, Ben smirked at Damian's words. He could appreciate that type of humor. He stared at Damian, as the man moved to his bed, holding his hands up. He never broke his gaze from the Thief, even as he spoke.

"So, what brings a Thief of your caliber to a place like Lucidus Magus?" He smirked again, knowing that from where Damian sat, this looked like it would end with Damian's death, though it was quite literally the opposite. He made no move to adjust himself from where he sat, he merely just continued to stare at Damian from beneath the confines of his mask.

Ben smirked at the answer. He studied the Thief as the moments passed, looking for any indication that what he knew about Damian was wrong. He clicked his tongue and leaned forward.

"Some vacation." He said flatly.

He continued to look at the man curiously. Finally, satisfied, he stood up, and quickly adjusted his belt that went across his chest out of discomfort. He then stepped forward, towards Damian. "Well, though you don't strike me as the thieving type, you are definitely the man I'm looking for." He stopped, and extended his gloved right hand to offer a handshake. "Call me Mr. Black. I've been looking for a skilled Thief like yourself to Join the ranks of the Agency." Having a thief like Damian around would benefit the agency greatly. Plus, whoever he was running from, The Agency could provide protection for such a man.

Maliarc had followed Emer out of the tavern he had come to know as the "Frisky Falcon", a name that rather amused Maliarc, and turned his head as the knight spoke. He thought that to be obvious, but he knew the knight was becoming intoxicated, and it would not do to have him getting angry at himself. "Indeed. How do you suppose we find her? I cannot get a connection with her mind, and I have learned nothing of her, or that young lady who was with her." he said worriedly as he quickly reviewed what he knew. The evidence was all against them, but he held confidence that she was alive, and that they would find her.

Maliarc let out a breath he had been holding for far too long. He didn't like the idea of going to Ater Nox either, but it did seem like that was their best course of action at the moment. That was where they had last seen her, and indeed that was likely the most probably place for them to find her. "I suppose you are correct, Ser Emer." he said as he resigned to follow this man. Maliarc cared not for the Aesian fleet;after all, magic trumped machine. "Lead the way, if you wouldn't mind. It took me forever just to find Lady Aaren's house the first time here, much less find my way to Ater Nox." he finished his sentence with a natural chuckle, thinking of how lost he had been when he first came here.